Public Law 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), created new requirements and time lines designed to ensure that all public elementary, middle, and secondary teachers of core academic subjects meet the federal definition of a highly qualified teacher.

Reading Certification in Sixth Grade:
It has been determined that a teacher who holds a certification in Elementary Education (Grades K-6 or 1-6) and is teaching reading in grades 1-6, or in a Kindergarten classroom are not required to have the Reading Endorsement or Reading Certification. This includes sixth grade in an elementary or middle school.

Reading Certification Requirements for Exceptional Student Education Teachers:
It has been determined that a teacher who has certification in an appropriate ESE area to match the ESE table in the Course Code Directory and is teaching Reading to ESE students in grades K-6 is not required to have the Reading Endorsement or Reading Certification. This includes sixth grade in an elementary or middle school.

Core Academic Courses in Middle School Sixth Grade:
A teacher who has certification in Elementary Education (Grades K-6 or 1-6) and is teaching a core academic course in Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and/or English/Language Arts in sixth grade in an elementary, or middle school is not required to have a separate subject area content certification, or the middle grades integrated curriculum certification.

Core Academic Courses in Grades 7-12:
Must hold a Florida Educator’s Certificate appropriate for the subject(s) and grade level(s) assigned.

Elementary Education Certified Teachers Considered Highly Qualified:
To be considered “Highly Qualified” with Elementary Education certification, a teacher must have passed the Subject Area Examination for Elementary Education or meet the requirements for a HOUSSE Plan.

Teachers with Certificates in a Separate Social Science Area:
Teachers who hold a valid certificate in one or more of the separate 6-12 Social Science areas are deemed Highly Qualified for teaching courses in that specific Social Science area(s). Separate areas: History, Economics, Geography, and Political Science.

Teachers with certificates in Social Science 6-12, Middle Grades Social Science 5-9, or Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum 5-9:
Teachers who hold a valid certificate in the areas listed above are deemed highly qualified for teaching History, Economics, Geography, and Civics/Government by passing the appropriate subject area exam or by using the HOUSSE Plan for the appropriate area.

ESE Teachers of Core Areas:
ESE teachers of core areas are required to pass the ESE subject area exam and the subject area exam for the core area taught to be considered “Highly Qualified.”

Out of State/County New Hires: Teachers hired from another district or state will need to provide proof of their highly qualified status on a Subject Area Exam verification form or HOUSSE verification form Sample #11 and Sample #12.

Infield vs No Child Left Behind:
A distinction must be made between the highly qualified designation of NCLB and the designation of teachers as infield, out-of-field, or qualified by Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules, or the Florida Course Code Directory. A teacher may be considered infield based on the requirements in the Course Code Directory but not meet the NCLB requirements to be designated as “Highly Qualified.”